Solar Shades Block the Sun, Not the View

 

Solar screen fabrics are unique in that they are specifically designed to maintain the view and connection to the outside. Fabric color and openness each affect the clarity of the view, as well as heat, glare, and UV performance. Light is powerful. That’s why it doesn’t take much openness in solar fabrics to provide excellent view-through. Solar shade fabrics are woven to very precise standards, controlling the amount of surface area that is left open. Solar shade fabrics are woven to very precise standards, controlling the amount of surface area that is left open and provides direct view-through. Fabrics with openness between 3% and 10% provide excellent levels of view-through in combination with excellent levels of solar performance.

 

Fabric Openness

Solar screen fabrics, also known as “technical” fabrics are woven to very precise standards, with a consistent, measurable degree of fabric openness. That openness determines how much direct visibility there will be through the fabric. That direct visibility is still affected by fabric color and the amount of reflection and diffusion.
Very low openness factor fabrics, such 1% or 3%, offer less direct view through, whereas very open fabrics, such as 10% openness, allow a great deal of direct view through.

We offer fabrics from 1% open to 14% open to address the requirements of individual applications, and this openness in combination with fabric color determines the heat, glare, and UV performance of each fabric.

Fabric Color

The color of a fabric affects what happens to the visible sunlight that strikes it. Some light is reflected, some passes through the open spaces in the fabric, and some is diffused by the fabric yarns themselves.

• Light colors diffuse more light, allowing it to pass through the yarns into the interior. This lessens the clarity of the view-through, but provides filtered light and an airy atmosphere.
• Dark colors block more visible light so that less comes into the room. Light enters through the open spaces in the fabric, but not through the yarns themselves– there is plenty of light for our eyes to see in comfort, much like the effect of sunglasses.
• High performance solar fabrics allow light to pass through the fabric openings, but not through the yarns, even those of light color. This means that light-colored high performance fabric solar shades provide a clearer view just like their dark-colored counterparts.

How to Select the Right Solar Screen Fabric

How Solar Shades Work

See All the Solar Fabric Swatches

Daytime Privacy

Solar Screen fabrics afford some level of daytime privacy, much like sheer draperies would, but are much more energy efficient. As part of a layered window treatment or dual shade pairing, solar shades can provide daytime privacy in bedrooms and rooms with windows closer to streets and sidewalks.

What is the Moiré Effect?

Ever notice a wavy effect from a patio or insect screen? That is the Moiré Effect.

Since solar fabrics are made of an open weave material, they sometimes create a moiré effect when installed over existing screens (like a screened-in porch or an insect screen over a bay window). The moiré effect creates wavy lines and a motion effect.

 

Motorized Shades for Your Home

Having motorized shades in your home can add practical function, convenience, efficiency and safety, as well as enhance your overall lifestyle. Control methods can be as simple or sophisticated as you like, ranging from a single shade with handheld remote control to whole-home automation with scenes, schedules, and sensors to optimize efficiency and livability.

Simple Controls and Capabilities

Handheld or wall mounted radio remote control transmitters allow you to raise or lower your shades and use custom position settings. A single remote can control up to 5 shades, and the wall mounted switch versions do not require any wiring into your home. Our 24-hour radio timer can lower your shades in the morning and raise them at night, or however you choose.

App-based Control and Voice Control

Insolroll uses the Somfy TaHoma® to control shades using your smart phone or tablet. Somfy has been a worldwide leader in shade motorization for over 50 years, and their TaHoma device and app also allow voice control of shades. Both control options let you design “scenes”, or customized settings of one or more shades for particular times of day, events, or activities. Schedule your shade operation and positioning, control your shades while you are away from home, and even integrate with other household “smart” items such as thermostats, lighting, and more with additional 3rd party hardware items.

Home Automation

For the ultimate in control, Insolroll shades can integrate with 3rd party home automation systems from brands such as Control4, Crestron, and more. Total integration with other household systems and the full complement of options for customized control and efficiency. Like app-based control, shades can be programmed in “scenes” and schedules, but can also tie in to all automated functions in the home, respond to sun angle and temperature conditions, and more to optimize your home’s energy efficiency and personalize your own comfort at home.

 

 

Child safety for solar window shades

Insolroll, Inc. has created durable child safety window shade solutions that are compliant with the new American National Standard for Safety of Corded Window Covering Products (ANSI/WCMA A100.1-2018).

Insolroll provides cord-free and motorized window shades that meet and exceed new standard implemented by a joint effort of the Window Covering Manufacturers Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Additional child-safe window shade recommendations:

• Use cordless shades in playrooms and children’s bedrooms.
• Keep cribs away from windows with corded window treatments.
• Shorten cords to be out of reach of young children.
• Inquire with local window treatment dealer about child safe chain or cord guides if you have free-hanging loops on existing window treatments.

Insolroll Solar Shades are Manufactured in the USA, in Louisville, Colorado

We are proud to produce our solar shades in the United States by skilled American workers. Insolroll sells through a network of installing dealers throughout North America, and every shade we sell is manufactured in Colorado, USA.

We also feature many fabric choices that are woven in the USA, including Phifer Sun Control Fabrics.